MBTA increases fares but will keep Boston-Worcester weekend trains

Wednesday

Mar 28, 2012 at 11:00 AMMar 28, 2012 at 4:34 PM

By John J. Monahan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

All the trains will keep running between Worcester and Boston – even late night runs and on weekends – but riders will see a steep 29 percent hike in the rail fares under a MBTA fare proposal aired today.

Secretary of Transportation Richard A. Davey said the proposal, which backs off an earlier plan to eliminate late night and weekend trains to Worcester as well as a proposed 43 percent fare hike, is needed to deal with a $180 million budget deficit the MBTA faces, primarily from rising debt costs.

Across the entire MBTA system, including subways and commuter rail, commuters will see an average 23 percent fare hike, officials said.

The increase will result in raising the cost of a monthly commuter rail pass between Worcester and Boston from $250 to $314. A one-way fare to Boston from Worcester would rise from $7.75 to $10.

At a press conference today, Mr. Davey said he settled on less severe service cuts and fare hikes. But the MBTA will proceed with elimination of four bus routes, reduced runs on 14 other lines and elimination of weekend service on the Greenbush, Needham, and Kingston/Plymouth commuter rail service.

The new plan will cover the deficit by tapping one-time state money for $61 million in fiscal 2013. The state allocation includes $51 million in surplus funds from motor vehicle inspection fees, $5 million from the state's current snow and ice account, and a $5 million payment for lease of the North Station parking garage.

Earlier plans for a fare hikes up to 43 percent and severe service cuts throughout the MBTA system brought out fierce opposition from consumer groups and riders who rallied in opposition at 31 public hearings around the state.

The new recommendations will go before the Department of Transportation board of directors April 4.

“We have put forth a solution that limits the impact on riders for one year, but I encourage everyone to remain engaged in helping us find a long-term fix for the T's problems,” Mr. Davey said.

He said while this proposal will address the budget gap for the coming year, it relies on one-time solutions while the deficits are expected to increase in each of the next three years. MBTA officials estimated they will see a new deficit in 2014 of $100 million, and that it will grow to $150 million in 2015 and to $230 million in 2016.

Officials said the higher fares will result in a reduction in ridership as commuters are either unable or unwilling to pay the higher fares. They estimated 20 million fewer rider trips next year, a five percent reduction from the current record ridership on the transit system.

The fare hikes will see the cost of a Boston subway system trip rise from $1.70 to $2 while a senior fare will increase from 60 cents to $1. Student subway fares will also go up, from 85 cents to $1. The current $2 fare charged for the Ride para-transit service will increase to $4, with an additional $1 added on for the Ride in premium fare zones.